Gaydon Parish Council

Chairman's Report 96/97

MEETINGS

26 Mar 96   Annual Parish Meeting

26 Mar 96   following annual parish meeting

2 June 96

30 Jul 96

6 Sep 96

4 Nov 96

19 Dec 96    extra for interview

20 Jan 97

THANKS AND INTRODUCTIONS

Thanks to members of the Parish council for their attendance at council meetings and work outside of the meetings.

I would like to thank all the Parish clerks (we have had three in the last year) for their work administering council business and preparing accounts for audit. Particular thanks to Mary Fox who retired after six years as clerk, to Joy Verda who worked for only a short time before leaving to have a baby, and to Mike Moody our new clerk who is taking his first meeting today.

May I also thank District Councillor Mr Hampson and County Councillor Mrs Collett both for their regular attendance at our meetings and the valuable advice that they have been able to give to us.

For those here who are uncertain as to who is who on the council I would like to introduce them and say briefly what they do.

Mr Brian Hampson   District Councillor

Mrs Pat Collett      County Councillor

Mr Mike Moody      Parish clerk

Mr Francis Liddington   cemetery

Miss Sue Middleditch    footpaths

Mr Tim Leverton      Play area

Mr Tony Irvine      street lamps and litter

Mr John Rickman chairman

Planning Applications

There were fewer planning applications this year than last. Rover continues to expand giving rise to more traffic at the junction of the B4551 and B4100. The highways department at last appears to be aware of potential problems here and has installed a bollard. This has made the turning towards Bishop's Itchington safer, but has not of course eased the congestion problem. The PC decided not to press for a roundabout as it would adversely affect local traffic trying to get out of the village.


Best Kept Village

Gaydon was placed third in the county in the small village section of the Best Kept Village competition in 1996. This is our second best ever placing. The competition for best kept frontage, won by Mr and Mrs Hill of Bussonside may have been a contributing factor and we have decided to hold the competition again this year.

Office in Village Hall

The PC is now using the Parish Office for its committee meetings and storage of files. The office is not fully in use yet, but has recently been fitted with external locks and we expect to be using it more by the summer.

Recycling Bins

Still no agreement on the siting of bins for Gaydon. A site by the public telephone was objected to by the Highways Authority. We are still waiting for Mr Dobson to come back on the suitability of a site by the bus-stop. My belief is that there is no political will to implement this scheme in the villages.

Burial Ground Deeds

The auditor has remarked that we do not appear to have any deeds for the cemetery. We have been investigating this to establish proof of ownership. Mrs Verda has outlined what we need to do to establish ownership - minuted 4/11/96.

Accounts

The Gaydon precept this year is 5000 pounds. This up from the 3000 pounds of last year. The 3000 pounds precept was made possible by reducing the amount of money held by the council, in line with a request by the auditor. Normal running costs of the council are of the order of 4500 - 5000.

Councillor's Areas of Responsibility

I will ask the individual councillors to speak on the areas they are each responsible for.

CEMETERY - Francis

FOOTPATHS - Sue

LITTER, LIGHTS, SEATS, - Tony

PLAYAREA -

JR